Sharing in the Oklahoma tragedy

By Kristi Barlette

Published 9:53 pm, Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Starting late Monday afternoon and continuing today, social media has been filled with talk of the tornado in Moore, Okla., that leveled the town, left dozens dead, including children, and many still unaccounted for. People are sharing photos, expressing grief and offering prayers to those affected by the devastation.

If you would like to make a $10 donation to rescue and aid efforts, text REDCROSS to 90999. Data rates apply.

More Information

Talk with Kristi, who each day shares the most talked-about posts on Times Union digital media and other social media relating to the Capital Region. • http://facebook.com/JustKristiOnline • @JustKristi • kbarlette@timesunion.com • 518-454-5494

Winds gusted up to 200 mph during Monday's tornado, leveling homes, killing residents and leaving many people homeless and their belongings strewn up to a mile away. To help people reclaim their personal items, important documents, photographs and other belongings, a Facebook group was created.

"Tornado doc and picture recovery" had nearly 10,000 members fewer than 24 hours after the storm and has already helped reconnect people with their personal items thanks to hundreds of uploaded photos, and the multiple shares and comments.

For information, search "Tornado doc" on Facebook.

Sheriffs won't be quiet

On Tuesday, the story about how several county sheriffs were upset after Gov. Andrew Cuomo apparently told them to keep quiet when it came to their opinion on the SAFE Act, which focuses on New York's gun control, spread quickly with more than 2,000 Facebook likes on the story before 10 a.m. That number nearly tripled by the evening.

Readers were passionate about the claim against the governor, especially on social media. Select comments are below.

Unfortunately for Cuomo, we live in a country protected with freedom of speech. You can't silence people's thoughts, no matter how much the dictator wants to.

It is not a sheriff's job to have an opinion on the law, it is to enforce it. For those opposed to the NY Safe Act to support increased powers for law enforcement, while claiming to need their guns to protect themselves from a tyrannical government and being fearful that the government is going to collect their firearms is dubious.